At least 22 people were killed and several injured in a rush hour stampede on a foot over bridge linking Elphinstone Road and Parel suburban railway stations in Mumbai this morning, police said.
Railway minister Piyush Goyal, who happens to be in the city, is expected to visit the site of the tragedy, said railway officials.
Meanwhile, the blame game has already begun with the Shiv Sena targeting the Railways and the NDA government at the Centre, and asking for Goyal’s resignation.
A combination of heavy rain, a loud sound and rush hour caused the tragedy, according to police.
It was raining heavily when the tragedy took place around 10.40 am. Being rush hour, the over bridge was heavily crowded. A possible short-circuit near the over bridge caused a loud bang. The resulting panic and haste to get away led to people running, resulting in the stampede.
Officials of the railways, the police and the fire brigade rushed to the site to carry out rescue operations. The injured were taken to nearby hospitals.
Some reports said people are shouting slogans against the rail ministry. Trains on the Western line are running 15 to 20 minutes late.
22 Killed in stampede at Elphinstone railway station Mumbai
